Bachelor of Arts

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Where commitment meets world-recognized excellence

For over 100 years, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program at the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) has welcomed students to the University to complete their undergraduate degrees and open new worlds of possibility.

At our program, you will earn an Ivy League undergraduate degree from one of the finest universities in the world — and be provided with the support, resources and flexibility you deserve to ensure your success. As a Penn graduate, you will become a member of a world-class intellectual community, create new career opportunities and join an alumni network that spans the globe.

Your gateway to the Penn undergraduate program

For outstanding students over 21, LPS is the entry point to Penn’s undergraduate program at the School of Arts and Sciences. Our students arrive at Penn from a wide variety of paths, including entrepreneurship, military duty, the corporate world and transferring from other undergraduate institutions. Many balance work, family life and their studies. At LPS, we facilitate their ability to earn a BA degree at Penn by providing the complete Penn experience on a flexible schedule, and with guidance and support from program staff.

You can take classes part time or full time, during the day or evening, and fulfill the requirements for the BA degree during the fall, spring or summer terms. We will work with you to find the schedule that works best for you, and help you transfer credits from your previous studies.

Rich resources, exceptional opportunities

As a BA student, you’ll enjoy Penn’s full array of intellectual resources. You can choose a major from more than 50 academic disciplines. Popular areas of study include sociology, economics, psychology, international relations, communications and biology.

You’ll learn from Penn’s outstanding faculty, and take classes alongside a curious and accomplished peer group of students, committed to excellence and intellectual growth. Our students bring rich life experiences to the classroom and they often find that the stimulation and inspiration provided by their fellow students is a significant part of their learning.

To complete your coursework, you can browse in one of Penn’s 15 libraries and take advantage of its electronic archives. If there’s time at the end of the day, you can find community and inspiration at one of Penn’s myriad student interest and activity groups, as well as cultural institutions such as the International House, the University of Pennsylvania Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Kelly Writers House.

Finally, our program staff is dedicated to supporting you as you plan and begin your course of study. You’ll be offered individualized advising to guide you through choosing majors and minors, balancing life and academics and more.

Prepare for your next success

Once our alumni earn their BA degree from Penn, they’re not content to rest on their laurels. Most of our alums use the BA degree to launch themselves into new stages in their careers, head on to new roles and greater professional responsibilities or change career fields. In recent years, our students have pursued research with faculty members, achieved promotions in their current jobs, or gone onto study at medical, law and business schools. We invite you to read more alumni stories.

Discover the BA at Penn

We're looking forward to speaking with you. Please spend some time reviewing the program materials and don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.